About the Program
The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation was founded in 1992 to honor Congressman Udall and his legacy of public service. Congressman Udall had a lasting impact on our nation's environment, public lands, and natural resources, and he also championed the rights of Native Americans and Alaska natives and strengthened their ability for tribal self-governance. Therefore, the foundation each year awards 50 scholarships to students who are pursuing careers related to environmental public policy or to Native American or Alaska Native students who are pursuing careers related to health care or tribal public policy.
Award and Stipend
Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, room, and board. Scholarship recipients are eligible for one year of scholarship support.
Targeted Areas
Typical majors or areas of studies in which Udall Scholars are involved include environmental engineering, the natural sciences, natural resource management, the social sciences, and Native American public policy. It is anticipated that successful candidates' plans of study will include coursework in ethics and public policy. In addition, successful candidates should be able to demonstrate university or community service experience in the area of the candidates' career fields.
Selection
To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, students must be:
- U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens, must be sophomores or juniors
- In the top one-fourth of their class, earning at least a 3.0 GPA ("B" average).
The application will reflect the nominee's background, interests, and plans. It also asks nominees to provide statements of their intent to enter an eligible career and their educational plans.
Application Procedures
The applicant must write an essay of no more than 800 words discussing a significant public speech, legislative act, or public policy statement by Congressman Udall and its impact on the applicant's field of interest. The application also includes three letters of recommendation and official transcripts from all colleges and universities the nominee has attended.
Students who are interested in applying for an Udall Scholarship should fill out an Initial Interest Form (available online or in the Fellowships Office) and begin working on their applications early in the fall semester of their sophomore or junior year. As the University of Puget Sound is limited to endorsing three nominees in each of the Udall Scholarship's two categories, applicants are expected to work closely with the Graduate and Undergraduate Fellowships Office.
Students will work diligently on their applications throughout the fall term as several drafts of their applications and their essays will be required before the formal submission to the Graduate Fellowship Office--fall campus application deadline in December. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected as nominees prior to the end of the fall term in order to meet the application deadline in February.